Diggers steer clear of trouble

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The 450 Australian soldiers based near the southern Iraqi city
of Samawah  the scene of violent demonstrations over the past
two days  are watching the situation carefully but are
steering clear of trouble spots, their commander has said.

The Australian force's commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Roger
Noble, said the capital of al-Muthanna province was still
functioning and that the police, backed by newly trained Iraqi army
units, were in control.

Demonstrators were carrying rockets and rifles, he said, "but
that's not unusual in Iraq.

"It doesn't normally degenerate into this level of violence.
There's been a lot of firing. It's not out of control but it's not
fully under control."

Lieutenant-Colonel Noble said the protesters were focused on
local issues and the demonstrations did not signify a general
insurrection.

The demonstrators were protesting about cuts to power and the
lack of other essential services, he said. Locals were angry that
their demands were not being met and were disillusioned with their
leaders.

There were reports that police shot dead at least one man in the
city this week and wounded up to 40 others after rockets were fired
in the city.

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari sent a delegation in a bid to
quell the public's anger over services. A range of groups appear to
be involved, including a significant number of armed men loyal to
radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Lieutenant-Colonel Noble said the demonstrations were a big test
for the Iraqi army units, trained by the Australians, and they were
doing well. "They've co-ordinated with the police and kept the lid
on," he said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Noble said there had been tensions in the
past and the Iraqis had been able to sit down and talk it
through.

"We hope this will be negotiated away and followed by another
step forward."

He said the trouble was restricted to the centre of the city and
the local markets had reopened.

"It's not a pitched battle and normal life is functioning here,"
he said. "We are careful and we watch it like hawks."

"It's an unpredictable country so it's hard to work out. It's
all about the local government  it's not targeted at us."

Lieutenant-Colonel Noble said the Australians had a specific
mandate  to protect Japanese engineers involved in
reconstruction work and to train the Iraqi army.

"We're not here to get in the way of demonstrations," he said.
"We don't want to become a player in these issues."

The Australian troops were avoiding the middle of town, he said.
"We can't sanitise ourselves from it completely. There's always the
risk we'll be involved and we don't want to be sucked in
inadvertently. We're there, but in the background."

Lieutenant-Colonel Noble said the Australian soldiers were being
careful to stay clear of the political process.